Astronomers have learned to detect the most distant supernovae

23/07/2009

Scientists, astronomers have developed a new method for the detection of distant supernovae. This method has been found two of the most distant stars, and, according to researchers in deep space, it’s just the beginning.

Two detected the explosion occurred around 11 billion years ago. The closer of the two massive supernova was formed about 6 billion years ago. According to scientists from the University of California, this new method for the detection of supernovae will help astronomers better understand not only the processes of the formation of galaxies and their evolution over time, but also to understand how the Earth.

Supernova formed at death (a powerful bright light) of a massive star, weighing more than eight solar. More massive stars, weighing from 50 to 100 solar masses, before his death, thrown out of their mass in the space around them. After the explosion, the surrounding matter is heated to such an extent that its glow can be seen for a very long time.

Usually, supernovae are found by comparing the images of the same area of sky at different times. If the picture appears bright spot - a sure sign of the emergence of a supernova in space.

The new method is that compared images made for a very long time. According to scientists, having the large number of images of the same part of the sky, you can reach very deep and faint objects. The process resembles the photograph is extremely slow.

This photo processing allowed to find four objects that are supposedly supernovae. Using a telescope Keck, to look more closely at the spectrum of the radiation emitted by objects that were able to confirm that these objects are indeed supernovae.

Taking into account the hypothetical age of the universe (about 13.7 billion), the observed objects - these are some of the first stars that appeared on the dawn of the universe. Only the first news portal tells about the events of the day.